Caldwell receives ‘Muddy Boot’

The East Tennessee Economic Council has awarded longtime Oak Ridge pediatrician and former state legislator Gene Caldwell the “Muddy Boot Award,” a tribute to individuals who through their work and community activities make East Tennessee a stronger region.

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By Special to The Oak Ridger

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted Feb. 11, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Updated Feb 11, 2013 at 7:32 PM

By Special to The Oak Ridger
Posted Feb. 11, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Updated Feb 11, 2013 at 7:32 PM

OAK RIDGE

The East Tennessee Economic Council has awarded longtime Oak Ridge pediatrician and former state legislator Gene Caldwell the “Muddy Boot Award,” a tribute to individuals who through their work and community activities make East Tennessee a stronger region.

In presenting the award, ETEC chair emeritus Homer Fisher discussed Caldwell's passion for the community and his ongoing efforts to support the quality of life in East Tennessee. For some time now, Caldwell has been co-chairing the effort to strengthen the mission of the Oak Ridge-based Emory Valley Center throughout our region.

Caldwell was a pediatrician at the Children’s Clinic in Oak Ridge for 27 years. Prior to that he was a U.S. Naval Officer for 10.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Memphis medical school, he also served in the Tennessee General Assembly for six years representing the state’s 33rd House District. While working in the state Legislature, he played a major role in implementing the then-new TennCare program.

Caldwell has been active in economic development organizations as well, including the Chamber of Commerce in Oak Ridge and Anderson County, the Tennessee Technology Development Council, and ETEC. He served on the March of Dimes Professional Advisory Board of East Tennessee, as well, and is a past Chief of Staff of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The Muddy Boot Award was created in the 1970s to honor individuals who have gone above the call of duty — like those in “The Secret City” who served the nation during the Manhattan Project — to make this community, the state of Tennessee and the nation a better place to live and work. More than 70 people have received the award since that time, and a full list of recipients and more information about the award can be found at www.eteconline.org.

“Each of these honorees makes a strong personal commitment to building a better community,” ETEC president Jim Campbell stated in a release. “You see it in how they go about their work, their volunteer commitments in the community, and their personal values.”

The East Tennessee Economic Council is a nonprofit membership organization that focuses on bringing people together to create new opportunities for federal research, national security and environmental programs, and to support technology transfer and economic development programs.